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The House recessed last Thursday and will not return until August 31.  The Senate is in session for two more weeks. The Senate returned this week to confirmation votes over the next two weeks on a slate of administration nominees, including Jay Clayton to be the Director of National Intelligence.  They also plan to move…

As Congress races toward the August recess, ASA is urging congressional leaders to maintain current federal investments in the nation’s surface transportation programs through any continuing resolution (CR) or extension of surface transportation law. In a letter sent to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority…

The future of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is entering a period of uncertainty that could have significant implications for the construction industry, supply chains, and the broader U.S. economy. During the agreement’s scheduled six-year review in July 2026, the Trump Administration declined to extend the trade pact through 2036, triggering annual reviews over the…

Congress is working toward a short-term government funding agreement ahead of the September 30 deadline, with members seeking to avoid a shutdown while broader budget negotiations continue. Last week, the House passed a continuing resolution (CR) by a 220-205 vote that would fund the government through December 4. The measure was supported by all but…

House Republicans are advancing a third reconciliation effort after narrowly passing an FY 2027 budget resolution by a 216-214 vote before the August recess. If the House and Senate approve identical versions, the resolution would allow Republicans to pursue another partisan spending package through the reconciliation process, which requires only a simple majority vote in…

The House also passed the FY 2027 NDAA last week.  Republicans amended the bill to add several conservative priorities, including provisions to rename the Department of Defense the Department of War, to prohibit TRICARE from covering gender-affirming care for service members, military retirees, and dependents, and to make it easier for troops to carry their…

Before recessing, the House passed a Democratic-led concurrent resolution directing the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in Iran.  This is the second such resolution that has passed the chamber, this time with the help of Republican Reps. Barrett (R-MI), Davidson (R-OH), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Massie (R-KY).  The Senate could take it up…

The 119th Congress in its second half faces historic challenges, including narrow majorities, deep partisan divisions, and a limited legislative calendar.  The session began with the smallest congressional majority for either party in at least a century, and lawmakers have increasingly turned to discharge petitions to force action on legislation. Members have filed 24 discharge…

House Focuses on Defense, Government Funding, and Budget Priorities The House returned to Washington this week with votes scheduled through Thursday before they depart for the August recess. Republican leadership plans to consider six major measures under a rule requiring a simple majority for passage. Among the highest-profile items on the agenda are the Fiscal…

As Congress prepared to consider a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government funded beyond September 30, ASA, along with the Construction Transportation Coalition, urged lawmakers to maintain full federal investment in surface transportation programs and avoid disruptions to critical infrastructure projects. In a letter sent July 21 to House Speaker Johnson (R-LA),…